Harbaugh issues statement after Kevin Gilbride’s “incendiary” comment

As if this game needs more hype, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh released a statement before today’s practice countering Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride’s comment that defensive end Justin Smith “Gets away with murder,” on the field.
Gilbride was referencing Smith’s ability to hold offensive linemen, which allows other defenders to presumably go unblocked.
“Kevin Gilbride’s outrageous, irrational statement regarding Justin Smith’s play is, first, an absurd analogy,” Harbaugh said. “Second, it is an incendiary comment targeting one of the truly exemplary players in this league. It’s obvious that the Giants coaching staff’s sole purpose is to use their high visibility to both criticize and influence officiating.”
On Wednesday, Gilbride told the New York media, “Smith is a beast on the inside. He’s strong, he does as good a job of grabbing a hold of offensive linemen and allowing those twists to take place. He never gets called for it, so he gets away with murder.”